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It’s hard to even think when you’re on the phone or trying to get something accomplished and kids are talking to you or screaming for your attention. Both parents and teachers have to deal with the problem of kids needing and wanting attention at times when it just can’t be given. But you can teach even toddlers to stop interrupting. And you can be respectful of kids’ needs and feelings at the same time.
Montessori teachers often use a simple technique to teach kids not to interrupt. It’s so simple, yet so effective.
Simple Way to Teach Kids to Stop Interrupting – YouTube Video
In this cute 28-second video, my now-adult daughter, Christina, and my 2¾-year-old granddaughter, Zoey (Christina’s niece), demonstrate how to have a child not interrupt.
Creative Commons Music Credit: “Contemplative Student” Royalty Free Music from MusicCatRF.com
How to Teach Kids to Stop Interrupting
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (at no cost to you).
Here are the simple steps:
Placing Hand on Shoulder to Get Adult’s Attention
When the child needs the adult’s attention, the child places a hand on the adult’s shoulder or arm.
Acknowledging Child by Touching Hand
The adult respectfully acknowledges the child by gently touching the child’s hand.
Asking Question When the Adult Is Ready … No Interruptions
When the adult is ready, the child talks with the adult. Easy peasy!
When children are ready, you can also teach them to say, “Excuse me,” before starting their question or other sentence.
More Grace and Courtesy Posts
Asking Question When the Adult Is Ready … No Interruptions
How to Manage Interruptions in Your Montessori Classroom or Homeschool (includes ideas for older kids plus ideas for kids who need extra help in learning not to interrupt)
Free Manners Matching Cards
Free Manners Matching Cards (and Montessori at Home or School: How to Teach Grace and Courtesy)
I have a category of grace and courtesy posts.
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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Montessori Monday Link-Up
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This is the most difficult challenge! I’m still teaching my son not to interrupt! So now he thinks it’s okay if he interrupts ‘gently’,loL!
Very practical, I am sending this link to some moms! Very nice! You have such an adorable granddaughter!
I used to do this with my kiddos when they were little, and it really did work! 🙂 Thanks for linking up with us at Hip Homeschool Moms.
I would like to make a social story about ways to appropriately get a teacher’s attention to share with my preschoolers (i.e. place hand on adult’s shoulder, place hand on adult’s forearm, hold adult’s hand, gently hold hem of teacher’s shirt, etc). I would also like to include acknowledging the student waiting by touching their hand or arm. I am finding it difficult to find clip art or visuals to include… have you made a picture book or used visuals to support these attention getting strategies?